Tree clearing in Queensland remains at unsustainable levels according to the state government. Source: ABC News
The Statewide Land Cover and Tree Study (SLATS) revealed 296,000 hectares of woody vegetation was cleared in 2014-15. It is only slightly up on the previous year, but the Government points to the fact rates have nearly doubled since 2011-12.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said it was still too high.
“I think plateauing at 300,000 hectares annually is pretty unsustainable, and is pretty shocking,” Ms Trad said.
She also found the rate of clearing in Great Barrier Reef catchment areas alarming.
About 108,000 hectares were lost in catchment areas in 2014-15, representing more than a third of the vegetation cleared statewide.
Deputy Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said the figures should not include clearing for fodder, adding the LNP would be going through the numbers with a fine-tooth comb.
“Labor have fudged the figures in the past, they can’t be trusted,” Ms Frecklington said.
The Government has used the figures to make the case for its proposed changes to vegetation management laws.
The previous government relaxed tree-clearing laws for high-value agriculture projects.
Farmers can clear their land as they see fit, the onus of proof reversed so they are not automatically prosecuted for mistakes.
Labor said tightened restrictions were due to be voted on this month.
With the Liberal National Party and Katter’s Australian Party opposed to the changes, the Government will need the support of independents Rob Pyne, Billy Gordon, and Speaker Peter Wellington.
Ms Trad said she had spoken with both Mr Gordon and Mr Wellington.
“Billy’s yet to make up his mind” and Mr Wellington is “still deliberating”, she said.
Ms Frecklington said Labor’s tree-clearing laws were unfair.
“We got the balance right, we got the balance between the environment and making sure our landholders could sustainably manage their land,” she said.
The Queensland Conservation Council said it was alarmed that a high clearing rate was now entrenched in Queensland.
Incoming head Dr Tim Seelig said the latest figures suggested the rate would not come down without swift legislative action.
“Tree clearing on this scale has a devastating effect on native wildlife, poses a big threat to the Great Barrier Reef, risks worse drought and erosion, and is a major source of carbon emissions in Queensland,” he said.
“Based on last year’s data, this is also likely to mean for a second year in a row, we will have recorded the release of at least 35 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere from this clearing, adding to the challenges of global warming.”
